Graphics Software Engineer

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a talented Software Engineer to develop engineering rendering software for complex simulation capabilities. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance rendering methods that support operational systems.

Qualified candidates should have a PhD or be pursuing one in related fields, with at least 5 years of experience in graphics software development. The position offers a competitive salary and a chance to work on national security initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience developing graphics or rendering software.
• Experience with modern graphics APIs demonstrated.
• Comfortable using linear algebra for 3D geometry.

Responsibilities

• Develop multispectral rendering methodologies for Electro-Optical/Infrared systems.
• Optimize performance at the application and shader level.
• Provide technical leadership in graphics techniques.

Skills

C++

Graphics programming

Vulkan

OpenGL

DirectX

3D geometry

Education

PhD in Computer Science or related field

Tools

GPU rendering software

Shader optimization

Job description

Description

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to impact significant advances to the nation's groundbreaking integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) systems?

Are you an engineer driven to expand your skills in order to solve both current and emerging needs of the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC)?

Would you like to join a team of skilled engineers and scientists to develop Electro-Optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) simulation capabilities?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking a creative, driven, and motivated software engineer to help invent, build, and sustain engineering rendering software for producing complex scenes, objects, and simulation-derived data. You will join a hardworking, multidisciplinary team that develops high-impact engineering capabilities for programs of national importance. As a member of our team, you will collaborate with engineers, scientists, and analysts to advance rendering methods that support analysis, simulation, and assessment of complex operational systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop multispectral rendering methodologies for Electro-Optical/Infrared, and related applications grounded by physical phenomenology.
• Contribute to a broad variety of tasks across the codebase, such as user interface, continuous integration, and non-graphics features.
• Optimize at the application and shader level to achieve peak performance in both latency and throughput.
• Diagnose and debug graphics, performance, memory, numerical, and integration issues in Linux and/or Windows development environments.
• Provide technical leadership for graphics techniques, implementation planning, code quality, testing strategy, and long‑term maintainability.
• Mentor other developers and help establish effective graphics and scientific software development practices.
• Work on a small team to create high‑impact software capabilities for challenging national security problems.
• Communicate technical approaches, trade‑offs, progress, and results to project teams, technical leadership, and sponsors.

Qualifications

• Possess or are currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Have 5+ years of experience developing graphics, rendering, simulation, game‑engine, or other GPU rendering software.
• Have experience working effectively in large codebases.
• Have direct experience with Vulkan, OpenGL, DirectX, or comparable modern graphics APIs, with demonstrated ability to design, implement, and debug rendering pipelines.
• Are proficient in C++ and comfortable developing performance‑sensitive software.
• Have experience with graphics concepts such as rendering pipelines, shaders, buffers, textures, camera models, coordinate transforms, lighting, materials, or scene management.
• Are comfortable solving problems in 3D geometry using linear algebra.
• Can work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative technical team.
• Have demonstrated experience in GPU programming, shader optimization, real‑time rendering performance analysis, or graphics pipeline profiling.
• Can communicate technical ideas clearly through documentation, presentations, and technical discussions.
• Are able to obtain a Secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

Minimum Rate

$105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$290,000 Annually